Nigerians: Why not Read!

   The great ideas and discoveries of great investors and world changers that have transformed the world to what it is today are kept and stored in the print. Besides, all the recent discoveries of researchers in various universities and research centres are documented in the print too. What a treasure base! It is the connection link that connect the past, present and future generations. It may not be an over statement to say that the print is truly a treasure base richer than oil wells of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. However, the only pathway to discover and tap the rich treasure in the print is via reading. Reading, whether for pleasure or for academic purposes is an essential habit that firm the bedrock of greatness in everyone, regardless of age, gender, sex, race or status.

   

   It is sad to note at this point, however, that the reading culture or habits of Nigerians especially the young people is nothing to write home about. It is so disappointing to note that even students, who are expected to be voracious readers, merely read to pass their examinations. Some never care to read even for their examination, preferring to indulge in examination malpractices and becoming uneducated illiterates from accredited schools.

 

   A reading nation is an informed nation. It is heart-breaking and heartrending to note that some younger generations of Nigerians do not consider reading a desirable venture. The reading culture of the average Nigerian is as low as 0.1%; not even up to 1%. It was said, sometimes ago, that if you want to hide a fact from Africans, Nigerians inclusive, put it inside a book. This statement portrays the belief of the western world about the reading habit in African youths compared to their western counterparts.

   This remains me of a one-time African Missionary who went on a very long tour in the European country in establishing of local churches and also preaching in cities. There was one old widow whose second daughter was sick and was about to die, but when the African Missionary held of it during fellowship in one of the local church at even went straight to the house of the woman, but before he could get there the young girl is dead already still, the Missionary knelt down beside her and began to pray, few minutes later the young girl came back to life that's how this Missionary became friends with this family especially with this old widow. When this woman was about to die, because she was very rich she divide all her money into two: a part she gave to all her children and the second part she put it inside a very large book and sealed it up and gave it to the Missionary as a gift; the Missionary, being ignorant of what given to him, since the Missionary was not the type that reads books he kept that particular book given to him by the old widow for about the space of ten years. Now the Missionary was back from his tour about seven years now. One cool evening a gentle thought just swept through his mind that he should go and read the book that was given to him ten years ago by that old widow. He obeyed and went to search out where he kept it, immediately he saw it: he said to himself, "I think I'll come back for this book later since I've found it", again he went out to sit down. The thought came again, "go and read that book now". Then, he quickly went and took the book, as he was about to open the book he discovered that the book was properly sealed, so, he open it using a knife. Immediately he cut it open money started falling out he was shocked to see such thing. When he later counted the money its was $700,000. That's how God blessed this Missionary.

  Back to where we stop, the poor reading habits and culture among Nigerians is caused by many factors such as: 

1. Lack of adequate awareness of importance of reading to individuals and nations.

2. Economic hardship that is common in many families that prevent most parents to manage to pay their children's school fees and forget about buying books.

3. Changes in Nigeria value system that believes in material wealth rather than investment for the search of knowledge.

4. High cost of books is also one of the discouraging factor.

5. Poor and uneducated libraries.

6. Advent of home videos, film houses and other electronic gadgets.

7. The majority of bad parents who prevent their kids from reading wide; holding the belief that it'll make them mad.

   In my conclusion, we should all know that the importance of reading cannot be overemphasized; it is the basis for development of a total man. Even the the Holy Scripture admonished us to be studios and even King Solomon also gave that same advice in Ecclesiastes 12: 10-14. Therefore, inestimable treasures needed to make this world a better place that are stored and kept for ages can only be accessed through reading. God gives you grace to make positive impact as you begin to read.

God bless you.